Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counseling and medication. Both are important to determine which is more effective.
People with classic ADD are disorganized, inattentional and are often hyperactive. They lack blood flow to the prefrontal cortex and the basal ganglia. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels are typically increased in the course of treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the efficiency of the body's systems. They are available in the form of prescription drugs like amphetamines, methylphenidates, and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They are also illegally abused and are often mixed with other substances like methcathinone and cocaine. They are available in the form of pills, liquids, syrups or patches.
They boost concentration by increasing the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain synapses. They also reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity and help improve working memory. They are the most commonly prescribed drug for adults with ADHD. They can trigger side effects such as decreased appetite, insomnia and an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. They can also interfere with certain medical and pharmaceutical treatments Therefore, it's crucial to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.
Medicines can lessen ADHD symptoms in 70 percent to 80% of people who use them. Different people respond in a different way to the medication, and the effects may not last long.
Some people aren't fond of stimulants or can't tolerate their side effects. If this is the case, doctors might prescribe nonstimulant drugs. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants, but they do help improve focus, attention and control impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medications take longer to start working and they don't react as fast. treat adhd in adults affect neurotransmitters differently than stimulants and do not increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. treat adhd in adults include atomoxetine, clonidine and guanfacine. The most common side effect of these medicines is drowsiness. The drowsiness is reduced by increasing the dosage or taking the medication at bedtime. The drowsiness will diminish in the following weeks after beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
Most antidepressants change chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters. The drugs are classified based on how they act on neurotransmitters. Each group has slightly different medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
A medical professional might suggest you start taking one of these groups to help relieve depression and anxiety symptoms. These medications might not provide immediate relief, as it could take several weeks before you can feel the full benefits. Your doctor and you will determine the most effective medication for you. They may add other medications or mix two antidepressants to improve your treatment. This is referred to as augmentation. The most commonly used augmentation drugs are Aripiprazole (Abilify) and quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants have distinct side effects. It is important to speak with your doctor about the side effects as some may interfere with your daily activities. These side effects may be severe or mild, depending on the type antidepressant that you are taking. Tell your doctor if you're taking any other medication, including herbal remedies or over-the-counter medications like St. John's Wort.
SSRIs have been proven to have fewer adverse effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
The SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain. This is why SNRIs are regarded as more effective than SSRIs. They also have a shorter half-life and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other medications. SNRIs are duloxetine, (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine, (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants can be used to boost your energy levels and make you feel more awake. They can be beneficial for those suffering from insomnia or extremely severe anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) as well as mirtazapine are among the most commonly used. These drugs can cause insomnia or jitteriness however they can be beneficial for those suffering from depression, ADHD, and anxiety. These drugs are also used to treat bulimia, and also to aid smokers in quitting.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a proven treatment for mental disorders. It is based on the idea that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected and can be changed. CBT is an approach that is short-term and goal-oriented that helps you discover new methods to manage stressors and negative habits. It can be used to treat bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.
The aim of CBT is to transform negative thoughts into positive emotions and behaviors. It is the combination of two therapies which are cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. This type of psychotherapy is typically short-term, and can be carried out either in a group setting or in a private setting. You will be taught a variety of methods by a therapist and then you'll apply them in your daily life. These techniques include: learning how to recognize negative thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping a journal.
A therapist can help you identify negative thoughts that lead you to take on a negative behavior, and show you how to change these beliefs. They'll also teach you problem-solving skills so that you can face challenges in your day-to-day life. CBT therapists will encourage you to set SMART goals to help you to keep track of your progress.
Although each type of cognitive behavior therapy has a slightly different approach but they all are focused on identifying the underlying thoughts that cause emotional distress and transforming them. The therapists will use different techniques, but the majority are based on the principles of operant and classical conditioning, which involve associating the effects of stimuli with the stimulus. During the treatment the person who is treating you will reward you for completing tasks and will punish you for not completing them.
During your first few sessions with your therapist, you and the therapist will look for problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. They may also assign homework to help you learn the skills. You could require anywhere from six to twenty one-on-one sessions, based on the severity and nature of your condition.
treat adhd in adults can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also effective for adults with ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Counselling
Counselling is a form of psychotherapy that consists of regular, scheduled sessions with an counselor (counsellor) to discuss your issues. Usually these sessions last for approximately 50 minutes and can be conducted face-to-face, in groups or via the phone. Counselling can aid people suffering from many mental health issues like depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It can also be used to talk about relationship, friendship and family issues - as well as work-related difficulties.
A counselor will pay attention to your concerns and provide an objective perspective. They can identify patterns of behaviour and suggest ways to modify them. They will be able to teach you strategies for coping and techniques to manage stress, anxiety or depression. They can help you deal with major life changes, like divorce or the loss of a loved one. They can teach you how to deal with chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge for their services while others are covered by Medicare rebates, if you have mental health plans from your doctor.